The day India freed Goa from Portuguese rule

The fight for freedom began in the 1940s as India inched closer to independence from British rule. But Goa remained a Portuguese colony until 1961, straining relations between India and Portugal as the former’s support for the anti-colonial movement in Goa grew. In 1955, India even imposed an economic blockade on Goa.

In 1961, the Indian army invaded the state after the Portuguese fired at Indian fishing boats, killing one fisherman.

After 36 hours of air, sea and land strikes by the army, General Manuel Antonio Vassalo e Silva, governor general of Goa, signed the “instrument of surrender”, handing over Goan territory to India.

While India attained independence from the British Raj on 15 August, 1947, Goa was still languishing under four and a half century of Portuguese rule.

The Portuguese were among the very first to colonise parts of India, and were the last to leave.

Goa was liberated from Portuguese rule in 1961, on this day, 19 December. Armed guerrillas, satyagrahis, journalists and even legendary film artists fought for Goa’s independence.